Christmas prep

Black Friday thrift shopping with Cari and Sharon we found some great headwear.  

Since I hardly get to see Karolee these days I thought it would be fun to volunteer together at the Giving Machines. It was good to catch up, but super boring on a Monday while no one was at the mall. 

Our stake had a Youth Christmas Party where the youth got to choose from 4 or 5 different service opportunities. They got to do good stuff, hang out with friends, and eat yummy treats. I was in charge of the ornament station, where the kids made an ornament to take home and deliver to someone along with an act of service.

Ryan and Grandma ran the Jingle Bell 5K at Mica Mountain this year. 

Ryan's goal was under 30 minutes and he killed that goal, getting 26 minutes. 

I'm glad Ryan has inherited Grandma's love of running, and glad they could run this together.

My mom and I kept our annual tradition of making Christmas goodies. Before:

After:

Turns out after counting all the kids' teachers at school, church, gymnastics, piano, etc, there were over 40 teachers, probably closer to 50. Add in co-workers, neighbors, ministering families, and friends and we had probably about 80 treat bags/plates to give out. 

The Grandma/Grandpa Reimanns invited us over for a party with Jill's family, our family, and my parents. It was fun to get together and I hope that becomes a tradition. The kids played Christmas songs on the piano, we sang carols, had ice cream, and played a new game: one and done. A good time was had by all.

On Christmas Adam (the day before Christmas Eve) Jacob, Annie, Rachel and I went to the temple for baptisms (and initiatories for me). Afterwards we came back and picked up Megan and Ryan to go out to lunch at 5 Guys. Everyone loves some tasty burgers. 

After that, Annie, Megan and I went to see the play A Christmas Carol that Annie's friend, Courtney, was in. It was a good way to spend the day leading up to Christmas Eve.